Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Picks and Predictions for Tuesday April 21 2026
Sign Up Get $30 Premium Picks Credit + Exclusive Offers
Subscribe Now
The Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning meet for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference First Round series at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 as Montreal looks to extend its 1-0 series lead while Tampa Bay aims to respond on home ice. According to the latest odds, the Canadiens are listed at +160 on the moneyline, while the Lightning are -192 favorites. The total is set at 5.5 goals, with the over at -130 and the under at +110, and Tampa Bay is favored on the puck line at -1.5. Be ready for all the NHL playoff action with our Free NHL picks.
Previous Game Recap
Montreal secured a 4-3 overtime victory in Game 1, taking an early edge in the series with a hard-fought win on the road. The Canadiens opened the scoring in the first period before Tampa Bay surged ahead during a strong second period. The third period saw both teams exchange goals, forcing overtime where Montreal ultimately delivered the deciding goal to complete the comeback and take control of the series momentum.
The Canadiens were led by a standout performance from Juraji Slafkovsky, who recorded a hat trick on seven shots and consistently pressured the Tampa Bay defense. Nick Suzuki added two assists while contributing heavily in puck control situations, and Ivan Demidov chipped in with a key assist to support the offensive effort. Contributions came across the lineup, including Josh Anderson adding a goal and assist, helping Montreal maintain offensive balance. In net, Jakub Dobes stopped 20 of 23 shots, holding firm despite a busy second period where Tampa Bay briefly took control.
Tampa Bay’s offensive push was highlighted by Jake Guentzel, who tallied three assists and was involved in multiple scoring plays. Brandon Hagel scored twice and generated consistent pressure with three shots on goal, while Nikita Kucherov added two assists and helped drive the attack. The Lightning also received contributions from their defensive group, including Ryan McDonagh adding an assist. Despite the offensive production, Andrei Vasilevskiy allowed four goals on 19 shots, finishing with 15 saves as Tampa Bay fell short in overtime. 
Canadiens Aim to Keep Momentum Rolling on the Road
Montreal enters Game 2 with a 48-24-10 record and a strong 24-9-8 mark away from home. Over their last five games, the Canadiens recently won over Tampa Bay in Game 1, recently lost to Philadelphia, recently won over the New York Islanders, recently lost to Columbus, and recently won over Tampa Bay in a late regular-season matchup. That recent success against this opponent adds confidence as they return to the same building looking for another result.
The Canadiens are averaging 3.40 goals per game while allowing 3.06 goals against, and they generate 26.3 shots per contest while allowing 27.8. On the power play, Montreal has produced 56 goals with a 23.1 percent conversion rate, while allowing 54 power-play goals against with a 78.2 percent penalty kill. These numbers show a team that can produce offensively while maintaining competitive special teams play.
One clear strength for Montreal is its scoring depth, as demonstrated in Game 1 with multiple contributors stepping into key roles. That ability to spread production across the lineup allows them to remain dangerous throughout the game. However, allowing nearly as many shots as they generate suggests that maintaining defensive structure will be critical if they want to continue controlling the series.
Lightning Look to Respond in Front of Home Crowd
Tampa Bay comes into Game 2 with a 50-26-6 record and a 26-14-1 home mark, where they will look to bounce back after dropping the opener. In their last five games, the Lightning recently lost to Montreal, recently lost to the New York Rangers, recently won over Detroit, recently won over Boston, and recently lost to Montreal again in a late regular-season meeting. That stretch reflects a team that has shown flashes of strong play but has struggled to finish against this opponent.
The Lightning are averaging 3.49 goals per game while allowing 2.79 goals against, along with 28.1 shots per game and 26.7 shots allowed. Their power play has produced 51 goals at a 20.7 percent rate, and they have allowed 45 power-play goals against with an 82.6 percent penalty kill. These figures highlight a team that is slightly more efficient defensively while still maintaining a high level of offensive production.
A key strength for Tampa Bay is its ability to control shot volume and limit chances against, which has been reflected in their goals-against average. However, Game 1 showed that efficiency in net and execution in critical moments remain areas to tighten up. Allowing four goals on limited shots ultimately proved costly, and that margin will need to improve if they want to even the series.
Canadiens vs Lightning Picks and Prediction
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Bruce Marshall | +6,749.00 |
| 2 |  Bryan Power | +5,537.00 |
| 3 |  Tony Karpinski | +4,340.00 |
| 4 |  Pro Sports Picks | +3,905.00 |
| 5 |  The Gold Sheet | +2,237.00 |
Moneyline Pick
- Montreal Canadiens
The value in this matchup leans toward Montreal on the moneyline at +160. The Canadiens have already proven they can win in this building and bring a strong road record into Game 2. Their recent wins over Tampa Bay, including the series opener, show a level of comfort in this matchup. While Tampa Bay holds a slight statistical edge in goals against and shot differential, Montreal’s ability to capitalize on key scoring opportunities gives them a solid chance to extend their series lead.
Total Pick
- Over 5.5
The total of 5.5 goals leans toward the over based on both teams’ offensive production and the outcome of Game 1. Montreal averages 3.40 goals per game while Tampa Bay averages 3.49, and the opening game produced seven total goals. With both teams showing the ability to generate scoring chances and push pace, another game with multiple goals on each side is a strong possibility.
Final Score Prediction: Montreal Canadiens 4 – Tampa Bay Lightning 3
Never Tried Picks and Parlays? Now Is Your Chance
- Get your first daily picks package for ONLY $1 using coupon code BUCK
- If the pick loses, we credit your account with 3 Flex Picks
- If the pick wins, we still give you 1 Flex Pick on the house
- Win or lose, you walk away ahead. One dollar. No catch.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $150 If Your Bet Wins!
New DraftKings Customers: Bet $5+ Get $100 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
Related posts
